Live updates: Steve Sarkisian previews Kansas State after Texas' bye week

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will be available to the media today around 11 a.m. to talk about how the Longhorns fared exiting the bye, and to preview UT’s matchup with Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.

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Longhorn Network will televise the press conference, as will TexasSports.com. The audio can also be heard on 104.9 The Horn in Austin, and at https://hornfm.com.

Steve Sarkisian updates

Steve Sarkisian: “Great to be back at it. I think that we took advantage of last week in getting healthy, which was one of the key components to what we wanted to do.” Also mentions they were able to start their preliminary gameplan as well as recruit on the road.

Steve Sarkisian on Deuce Vaughn, says he’s a “fantastic player.” — “I like the way Deuce plays. He’s a really versatile back. They do a really good job, they’re creative with him. Not just running the ball, but receiving the ball and moving around.”

Steve Sarkisian says it’s too early to make a call on Ryan Watts or Anthony Cook, but “I think both guys are making good progress for us right now. All of the guys that were banged up, I think we’re moving in the right direction for everybody.”

Steve Sarkisian says he’s preparing for both Adrian Martinez and Will Howard — “We have to.” — Credits Martinez’s running ability and Howard’s ability to push the ball down the field. — “They could both be healthy and they both could play.”

Steve Sarkisian mentions he almost went to K-State. Took a visit before choosing BYU. — “Great environment for college football.”

Steve Sarkisian on what confidence going for it on 4th means: “I do think it sends a really good message to your team that you believe in them, but there’s times when the right thing to do is to punt the ball or to kick the field goal, and play good defense or play really good special teams.” — “It sure seems like people are being more aggressive with their fourth down decision making, and you see the benefit of it. But I also see when it doesn’t work what it does to you.”

Steve Sarkisian: “I think that we’ve played good football. I think we’ve got a team that’s committed for this final month of the season, but we have to be cautious not to look down the road. We’ve got to focus on this game and we’ve got to handle our business this week, and it’s going to be a heck of a game.”

Steve Sarkisian said a lot of younger players “we may be counting on here in the final month of this regular season” were able to get reps during the bye week practices.

Steve Sarkisian said he was very encouraged by the “spark” in practice on Monday, even said the “speed of practice was better.” Felt like there was a lot of energy and intent from the team.

Steve Sarkisian: “I think ultimately we have to do a really good job of a staff of continuing to instill confidence in our players that they’re in the right position to make the plays that we want to make, and I think we’ll do that.”

Steve Sarkisian said he was able to watch the K-State game with OSU with his son. “I think one thing that was very impressive was (KSU) capitalized on opportunities they got in the game.”

Steve Sarkisian: “The reality of it is, to play really good football… is you’ve got to fight for consistency. I think that’s one of the things at that third receiver spot that we’ve just struggled to get is a really consistent player in his role and in what his asked of him to go do.”

Steve Sarkisian mentions DJ Campbell, Cam Williams, Jaydon Blue, Jaray Bledsoe, and Maalik Murphy, along with younger DBs as younger players who were able to do well in the bye week practices.

Steve Sarkisian: “Pound the rock, that’s cool. I write that on my call sheet every once in a while.”

Steve Sarkisian says “I blame the playcaller” for why some of the runs didn’t work as effective as he’d like against OSU. — “I would have liked to kind of maneuvered the runs a little bit better than I did.”